Metiam rushes for 188 yards, 2 TDs as University holds off Olympia, 33-21

Chris Boyle @ChrisBoyleDBNJ

Thursday

May 16, 2019 at 10:15 PMMay 16, 2019 at 10:15 PM

DELTONA — Powered by a vintage ground-and-pound barrage, University prevailed in a spring-game "Clash of the Titans."

Kyle Metiam rushed for 188 yards, and University rushed for five touchdowns in a 33-21 victory over Orlando Olympia in three varsity quarters at Pine Ridge High School on Thursday night. Ethan Lasher, Chandler Powers and Iziah Marquez also found the end zone as the orange-clad host Titans staked a 26-0 lead in just 22 minutes against their silver-and-black Titans counterparts.

University won only one game last season, but entered the spring with optimism. Aside from Cornell-bound Jalyx Hunt, most of the Titans' skill players are back on offense, along with the team's four leading tacklers on defense.

"We needed a kickstart. We needed to put hope back into this program — that we can still be a dominant force in our (district)," Metiam said. "I think a win brings everybody's morale up, including the student body."

Here are some observations from an entertaining, high-octane evening.

'Finding his rhythm'

Head coach Brian Kells admitted the third quarter was not University's friend in 2018, and the Titans allowed 14 quick points to Olympia out of the break.

However, Metiam continued to get stronger with more touches. He rushed for 84 yards alone in the third and final varsity period, and polished the win off with 1:52 left.

"He just kept finding a way and finding his rhythm," Kells said.

Metiam finished with 23 carries, five more than University's five other rushers combined.

Take it away

University's defense produced just three takeaways during the entire 2018 season, surrendering 33.6 points per game. But the unit recorded a pair of turnovers in the first half.

Jack D'Errico, the team's second-leading tackler a year ago, grabbed an interception early in the second quarter. With Olympia quarterback Garrett Velin flushed from the pocket to his right, D'Errico tracked his eyes and jumped a potential throwaway along the sidelines.

"We had a great pass pressure, got the guy off his mark," Kells said. "Jack just has great hands and made a great pick."

Noble Thomas snagged the second pick, the benefactor of a ball deflected off the hands of Olympia receiver Jalen Myers. That led to Marquez's 2-yard score with 1:19 left in the first half, and a 26-0 lead for University.

Beat the clock

Olympia's offense came to life late in the half, courtesy of rising sophomore prospect Victor Jones Jr.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound wide receiver, who claimed an offer from UCF last week, hauled in a 20-yard touchdown as time expired in the second quarter. Velin lofted a ball toward the pylon on the left side of the end zone, and Jones used his frame to beat University's Brett Baker for the jumpball.

"He's the real deal," Kells said of Jones Jr. "He has great ball skills, when to time it and when to go get it. Our guys were there, stride-for-stride, with him every time. It wasn't like he had these runaway catches. He just made really nice plays."

Jones capped a near-flawless possession to open the third, as well, with a 10-yard touchdown. Velin completed his first six passes out of halftime, including a 41-yard scoring strike to Isaiah Davis.

OTHER GAMES

Eau Gallie 31, Seabreeze 14

LaTrae Bass and Joe Justice each returned interceptions for touchdowns, but Seabreeze fell to Eau Gallie at Daytona Stadium on Thursday night.